Transparency and Self‐Disclosure¹ in Family Therapy: Dangers and Possibilities

Abstract

Therapy is a paid intimate relationship that thrusts clients and therapists into navigating personal and professional boundaries. When, where, why, and how is it appropriate and ethical for family therapists to be transparent, and when is it damaging? Theorists take varied stances from Haley's position of tight boundaries around therapist disclosure--whether in treatment or training--to the narrative viewpoint that therapists should be transparent about models of therapy, personal values, and life experiences that inform their practice and beliefs. However, these positions are not research based, and theorists who support disclosure offer few guidelines other than general statements. This article examines the history of ideas about disclosure in six major family therapy models, and the dangers and possibilities of transparency. It looks at the research on self-disclosure in individual therapy and whether and how it could apply to family therapy. Guidelines are proposed that take into account the multiple social identities of therapists and clients, and issues of safety and transparency.

Finding Your Cadence: Introducing the Dynamic Developmental Framework of Supervision

“…It is also equally important in the SVS, as both supervisees and supervisors explore personal issues and experiences that can affect the supervisory relationship and process. In addition, just as the use of self in therapy can enhance relationship development with clients (Roberts, 2005) the same can be true in supervision. …”

Conceptualizations of Competence and Culture: Taking Up the Postmodern Interest in Social Interaction

“…will be meaningful. As well, various approaches to counseling specifically promote orienting to cultural ideas, values and identity markers as opportunities for transformation (Fowers, 2001;Freedman & Combs, 1996;Roberts, 2005;White, 2002). Looking closely at interactions allows counselors to observe what they do to realize the imperatives they claim to adhere to.…”

Students' Attitudes Towards and Engagement in Self-Disclosure: Implications for Supervision

“…For the remainder of this article and for reasons discussed in the next section, this type of self-disclosure will be referred to as transparency (Roberts, 2005).…”

“…Self-disclosure remains one of the more controversial and misunderstood topics in the training of mental health practitioners (Gibson, 2012;Roberts, 2005). Critics have decried the use of this skill set on at least four interrelated grounds (Dewane, 2006).…”